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Every photon counts...
Welcome to the Moravian Instruments web site devoted to cameras for low light imaging in astronomy and microscopy.



NGC1398 galaxy in incredible details.

Image captured by Wolfgang Promper with C5A-150M camera on ASA AZ1500 telescope.

SIPS updates (v4.2.3)16.5.2025
 SIPS (Scientific Image Processing System) is a software package, focused to two areas: First, the astronomical observation control, which includes camera and filter wheel control and image acquisition, automatic guiding as well as additional device and observing equipment control, like focusers, telescope mounts, observatory domes, weather stations etc. And second, the astronomical image scientific processing, like raw image calibration (dark frame subtraction, flat fielding) and basic manipulation (median combine, alignment and stacking, blinking, …). Two key image reduction workflows, used in research to analyze astronomical images, are also included — astrometry reduction and time-based photometry processing.
Introducing C2-4600024.4.2025
 The G2-8300 cameras become overwhelmingly popular among astro-photographers at the time (and they are still used to capture great images) from two reasons. First, the 4/3" sensor size utilized the 2" telescope adapter standard, for which the G2 was designed, to its maximum. Even slightly larger sensor area would cause severe vignetting from focusers, correctors, filters etc. And second, small pixels and high resolution well suited the short focal length of many small telescopes used by majority of amateurs. Now the C2-46000 is ready to follow in the same steps, just with all great features the rolling-shutter CMOS sensor technology brought to astronomical imaging.
C0, CG, and C1 Series CMOS Cameras14.4.2025
 The C0, CG, and C1 series cameras with global shutter CMOS sensors were designed to be small, lightweight imagers for Moon and planets and for automatic telescope guiding. With proper image calibration, these cameras provide surprisingly good results also in entry-level deep-sky imaging. The used CMOS sensors response to light is linear up to very close to saturation point. So, the C0, CG, and C1 cameras can be used for some entry-level scientific applications for instance in the variable star research etc.
New CG series of auto-guiding and planetary cameras4.4.2025
 The C0 and C1 cameras proved to be reliable auto-guididers, but sometimes the C0 or C1 cannot be used on OAG because of its shape — both C0 and C1 exceed the front plane, defined by the OAG front thread, and thus they can possibly interfere with the telescope's rear mounting interface. The new CG cameras are designed not to exceed the OAG in the front. But otherwise the CG cameras are essentially the C0 ones in the flat casing.
Moravian Instruments Filter Wheels9.5.2025
 Astronomical cameras with silicon-based monochrome sensors are sensitive to a wide range of wavelengths, spanning from near ultra-violet (UV) to near infra-red (IR) light. If it is desired to capture only a portion of such a spectral range, it is necessary to place a color filter in front of the sensor. This is why Moravian Instruments cameras are designed to operate with a wide range of Moravian Instruments filter wheels.
Truly Christmas comet discovered by Martin Mašek using the C4-16000 camera on the FRAM telescope2.1.2025
 Our congratulations to Martin Mašek from the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences for discovering a new comet, now designated as C/2024 Y1 (Mašek). The comet was discovered literally on the Christmas Eve, using the remotely operated FRAM telescope under the southern sky. Despite the comet is quite dim and there is no chance we can see it by naked eye, we are particularly glad it was found using the C4-16000 CMOS camera.
New C1+9000 camera with IMX533 CMOS sensor26.9.2024
 Small and cute from the outside, powerful imaging and research tool from the inside. The C1+9000 camera employs the same IMX533 CMOS sensor like its bigger brother C2-9000, but in a smaller and lighter, symmetrical body. Sensor size approximately 11 × 11 millimeters perfectly fits small telescopes, and 9 MPx resolution can utilize even the high quality optics. Camera superb sensitivity, exceptional dynamic range, very low read noise and dark current are appreciated also by the advanced astro-imagers as well as researchers demanding the best possible data.
C2 cameras with Global Shutter CMOS Sensors now available with GPS receiver17.9.2024
 GPS satellite signal receivers provide not only location information, but also can be a source of very precise (sub-microsecond) timing information. Integration of the GPS receiver with an astronomical camera thus allows very precise timing of exposures. Now the GPS receiver module is available also for C2 cameras with global-shutter CMOS sensors, which are particularly suitable for application requiring precise exposure timing, like occultation observations etc.
SIPS version 4.13.7.2024
 The first minor release of SIPS v4 fixes issues identified especially in the tools newly added to the SIPS v4, like the Program Editor. But the most important additions to v4.1 are new device driver classes for telescope flaps, including calibration covers, and for general switches. So, the list of supported devices is finished, at last for now. The v4.1 should support all major hardware components used to run an observatory.
NGC5128 “Centaurus A” galaxy22.3.2024
 When a technician temporarily swapped a camera on the 1.5 m ASA telescope, located at Mt. Paranal in Chile, for the C5A-150M, Wolfgang Promper took the chance to capture the famous Centaurus A galaxy. Ten 120 s long exposures through photometric Sloan g’, r’ and i’ filters were then combined into this stunning image (g’ filter was used as blue, r’ as green, and i’ as red color channels).
C5 Series CMOS Cameras9.5.2025
 C5 camera series is designed to accommodate the latest generation of extremely large Sony IMX CMOS sensors with 100 and 150 MPx resolution and diagonal dimension up to 67 mm. Many of the used sensor properties share the exceptional features of the sensors used in the C3 series, including the 3.76 μm pixel size with the full-well capacity exceeding 50 ke-, very high quantum efficiency thanks to back-illuminated design and very low dark current. C5 sensors also offer 16 bit digitization, perfectly linear response to light and exceptionally low read noise. Despite very large sensors, the C5 camera head dimensions are the same like the Enhanced Cooling variants of the C3 and C4 series. All these features make C5 cameras the ultimate devices for both aesthetic astro-photography as well as astronomical research.
C1× Series CMOS Cameras9.5.2025
 C1× cameras employ the same sensors like the C3 series — latest generation of Sony APS and Full-Frame (24 × 36 mm) CMOS sensors, offering exceptional quantum efficiency thanks to back-illuminated design and very low dark current. Despite relatively small pixels, full-well capacity exceeds 50 ke-, rivaling cameras with much greater pixels. Combined with full 16 bit digitization, perfectly linear response to light and exceptionally low read noise, these cameras are suitable for both aesthetic astro-photography as well as astronomical research. At the same time the C1× camera head is designed to be symmetrical, with as small front cross-section as possible.
C3 Series CMOS Cameras9.5.2025
 C3 cameras employ the latest generation of Sony IMX CMOS sensors, offering exceptional quantum efficiency thanks to back-illuminated design and very low dark current. Despite relatively small pixels, full-well capacity exceeds 50 ke-. Combined with full 16 bit digitization, perfectly linear response to light and exceptionally low read noise, these cameras are suitable for both aesthetic astro-photography as well as astronomical research. Sensor formats from APS to photographic full-frame (24 × 36 mm) ensure wide field of view and optimally utilize capabilities of the optical systems most commonly used by amateur astronomers.
C4 Series CMOS Cameras6.3.2025
 The C4-16000 cooled scientific CMOS camera sensors offer the same geometry like the CCDs in the famous G4-16000 cameras — sensor size 37 × 37 mm, 9 μm pixels and 16 MPx (4k × 4k) resolution. Also the mechanical design of C4 cameras inherits from G4 Mark II cameras, which makes the C4 camera line fully compatible with vast range of telescope adapters, off-axis guider adapters, filter wheels, Camera Ethernet adapters, guiding cameras etc.
C1+ Series CMOS Cameras6.3.2025
 C1+ camera models are designed to fulfill the gap between small and lightweight C1 models, intended as Moon and planetary cameras and auto-guiders, and C2 cameras, equipped with active sensor cooling and mechanical shutter and thus intended for more serious astronomical imaging and research. C1+ cameras are able to work as C1 ones, only being somewhat heavier and bulkier, and at the same time C1+ can replace the C2 models, only with slightly less cooling performance and lack of mechanical shutter.
C2 Series CMOS Cameras2.5.2025
 The cooled C2 series CMOS cameras were developed for imaging under extremely low-light conditions in astronomy, microscopy and similar areas. Mechanical design of this series inherits from earlier CCD-based G2 Mark II cameras, which makes the C2 series fully compatible with vast range of telescope adapters, off-axis guider adapters, internal or external filter wheels, Camera Ethernet adapters, guiding cameras etc.
Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter — Standard, Mini and Micro versions8.12.2016
 Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter allows connection of Gx series cameras (models G0 to G4) to the control computer using Ethernet interface and TCP/IP protocol stack (this means over Local or Wide Area Networks). Single Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter contains four USB 2.0 ports and allows connection of up to four Gx cameras at the same time (regardless of the specific series, cameras can be freely combined).
What can 64 bit operating system do and which driver versions to choose?24.7.2015
 “64 bits” is a new marketing buzz-word in the world of mobile phones and tablets, but it is rather common in the world of Personal Computers. Despite the 64 bit systems are available for many years, especially recently number of newly installed 32 bit systems sharply declines and 64 bit systems dominate. Surprisingly, general understanding what does it mean is very low and particularly baffling is the fact, that 64 bit operating system is (fortunately) perfectly capable to run 32 bit applications. The answer to the question which driver version (32 bit or 64 bit) to install requires understanding of a few concepts.
 
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